Biofilm formation – what we can learn from recent developments

Abstract

Although biofilms have been observed early in the history of microbial research, their impact has only recently been fully recognized. Biofilm infections, which contribute to up to 80% of human microbial infections, are associated with common human disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and poor dental hygiene, but also with medical implants. The associated chronic infections such as wound infections, dental caries and periodontitis significantly enhance morbidity, affect quality of life and can aid development of follow-up diseases such as cancer. Biofilm infections remain challenging to treat and antibiotic monotherapy is often insufficient, although some rediscovered traditional compounds have shown surprising efficiency. Innovative anti-biofilm strategies include application of anti-biofilm small molecules, intrinsic or external stimulation of production of reactive molecules, utilization of materials with antimicrobial properties and dispersion of biofilms by digestion of the extracellular matrix, also in combination with physical biofilm breakdown. Although basic principles of biofilm formation have been deciphered, the molecular understanding of the formation and structural organization of various types of biofilms has just begun to emerge. Basic studies of biofilm physiology have also resulted in an unexpected discovery of cyclic dinucleotide second messengers that are involved in interkingdom crosstalk via specific mammalian receptors. These findings even open up new venues for exploring novel anti-biofilm strategies.

Bacteriophages inhibit biofilms formed by multi-drug resistant bacteria isolated from septic wounds

“…Biofilm formation is one of the essential survival strategies of many bacteria. This process is characterized by bacterial accumulation and wrapping in the extracellular matrix containing bacteriological societies (Sanchez et al, 2013; Bjarnsholt et al, 2018). In the case of either acute or chronic wound infections or septic wounds, pathogenic bacteria tend to form bacterial biofilms on the surface of the wounded sites, and these colonized bacteria show enhanced resistance to existing antibiotics (Merckoll et al, 2009; Alves et al, 2014).…”

<p>The Battle of Probiotics and Their Derivatives Against Biofilms</p>

“…Biofilms are the aggregates of micro-organisms that are embedded in a selfproduced polymeric matrix in a sessile state. 1 In the history of microbiology, biofilms have been detected earlier; however, only recently has their clinical burden been fully recognized. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), biofilms are involved in approximately 65% and 80% of all microbial and chronic infections, respectively.…”

“…Moreover, biofilm infections lead to different disorders, for instance, diabetes mellitus, dental caries, medical implants and wound infections that significantly affect the quality of life, cancer development, and subsequently, increase the global morbidity rate. 1 Hardly are biofilms detectable with routine diagnostic tests; therefore, the management of their infections are challenging in the clinic. 2 Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. epidermidis and Gardnerella vaginalis are the most common biofilm formers in the clinic.…”

Microbial Biofilms: Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 First in Line for Viral Biofilm but Far Behind Bacterial Biofilms

“…They contain polymeric molecules constituting the ECM involved in intercellular adhesion. Matrix polymers include exopolysaccharides, proteins, teichoic acids, and molecules released by eukaryotic and prokaryotic dead cells, which are mainly negatively charged DNA, called eDNA after its release (López et al, 2010;Bjarnsholt et al, 2018).…”